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On January 18, 2022, Custer County officers searched a trailer near Westcliffe, Colorado, for a 16-year-old fugitive who had taken her guardian’s automobile.
Custer County Sheriff’s deputies violently arrested her when she was victim of sex trafficking (Photo: Google)
Allegations of Excessive Force and Legal Controversy Surrounding the Arrest
Deputies discovered the adolescent in a trailer closet, apparently high. They arrested her, but she got recalcitrant and tried to bite a deputy.
Deputies used a Taser to subdue the adolescent after her resistance. She refused to cooperate at the sheriff’s office, resulting in another Taser and restraint chair. Kevin Mehr, her lawyer, said the disproportionate force was used during “passive resistance,” when the person was not combative. Despite resisting arrest charges, a judge dropped them.
The 18-year-old is suing the sheriff’s office for sex trafficking. Two males in the trailer were allegedly trafficked, but police did not investigate. Mehr, her lawyer, worries that the chance to investigate the major charges may have passed.
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Law Enforcement Response and Commitment to Investigation
The Custer County Sheriff’s Office expressed worry over the accusations on Facebook. The current sheriff requested a Colorado Bureau of Investigation investigation. The sheriff has volunteered to back their conclusions, including considering criminal charges based on the inquiry.
The plaintiff claims the deputies mistreated her as a criminal rather than a victim. Kevin Mehr stresses that his underage client should not have been forced. According to the Colorado Human Trafficking Council, identifying trafficking victims is difficult, but signs like restricted movement, intimidation, fear, or illness or injury should be red flags. Law enforcement should approach potential victims with sensitivity and care.
READ ALSO: Arrest Of Registered Sex Offender For Alleged Crimes At Livermore High School Raises Concerns
